BRYAN She'll still be part of the KBTX team, but after more than 12 years, Barbara Smith has decided she wants some more family time, and that the middle-of-the-night alarm is a bit too early.

Friday was Smith's final regular time anchoring Brazos Valley This Morning. She'll remain with News 3 as a fill-in anchor, and also be part of special projects going forward.

Smith joined KBTX in 1992 when she graduated from Texas A&M, and was with the station until 1994. In addition to reporting, she also filled in on BVTM with co-anchor Mike Wright (now the general manager of KBTX and Waco's KWTX) and former KBTX and CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney.

After working jobs outside of television and shortly after the birth of her first child, Smith rejoined News 3 in August 2001. Wright was still the anchor when she returned, the first of six she'd sit next to at the news desk to go along with eight meteorologists over the years. Longtime forecaster Roger Barry (now at Texas Cable News) was the first.

"When I sat down in the chair that morning, the on-air light came on, and the camera operator gave us our cue to begin the show, I had no idea that ten years later I’d still be doing the same thing," Smith wrote in a 2011 blog of her first day back on air in 2001.

While BVTM cohorts went on to different positions at the station or new jobs in places like Houston and Atlanta, Barbara remained in the Brazos Valley with her husband Josh, a former KBTX employee who now owns and operates a local business. The couple has two children.

"After 12 wonderful years, I've decided to sleep in a bit," Smith has recently written to viewers asking about her decision to step down. "I might not even wake up until 5:30! I have enjoyed every minute, and I know I will miss it., but I won't miss the 3:30 a.m. alarm! No big plans other than spending time with my family."

Comments may be monitored for inappropriate content, but the station is under no legal obligation to do so.
If you believe a comment violates the above rules, please use the Flagging Tool to alert a Moderator.
Flagging does not guarantee removal.

Multiple violations may result in account suspension.
Decisions to suspend or unsuspend accounts are made by Station Moderators.
Questions may be sent to comments@kbtx.com.
Please provide detailed information.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.

Steve Fullhart anchors First News at Four and News 3 at Five weekdays, and serves as KBTX's managing editor. He joined the Brazos Valley’s news leader in May 2004 and has anchored, reported for and produced every newscast at KBTX over his time at the station.